Portable electric light



UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

CHARLES WACHTEL, 0F JAMAICA, NEW YORK, ASSIGNOR T0 MAURICE HARTMAN, 0F

NEW YORK, N. Y.

PORTABLE ELECTRIC LIGHT.

Appiicati'on ined November i2, 1919. serial No. 337,541.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, CHARLES WAoH'rni., a citizen of the4 United States, and resident of Jamaica, in thel borough and county of Queens, Long Island, in the State of New York, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Portable Electric Lights, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to improvements in portable, self-contained electric lighting devices.

The invention has for one of its objects the provision of a portable electric lamp having a metallic casing forming part of the lamp circuit', the parts of the lamp being' so constructed and arranged that accidental closure of the circuit by contact of the lamp parts with metallic tools or'objects is impossible.

A further. important object of the invention is the provision of a portable electric lighting device comprising a casing containing a removable battery or dry cell, a lamp supported at one end of the ca sing, normally open circuit-closing means interposed between the lamp and the adjacent battery terminah adapted to connect said battery terminal with one terminal of the lamp, and means including the casing forming an electrical connection between the other lamp terminal and the battery terminal at the opposite end of the casing. v

Another ob 'ect of the invention 1s to provide circuit-'closing means for a portable electric lighting device, embodying stationary and movable contacts and a manually operable controlling device or push button engaging said movable contact and adapted to close the circuit when forced inwardly, said controlling device being also laterally shiftable when -pushed inwardly to move the same into engagement with an abutment for locking the movable contact in circuitclosing position.

Another object of the invention is to provide a portable electric lighting device having a tubular body portion, a battery' in the body portioii,a closui'e cap for one end of the body having a frictional slip connection with the body portion, and`a combined reiector, lamp socket and lens support hav- ,ing a fiictional slip connection with the other end ofthe body portion.

Another important object of the invention is the provision of a lighting device Specification o! Letters Patent.

Patented Nov.y 3o, 1920.

comprising a ,tubular metallic shell having a' battery removably contained therein, a detachable metallic closure cap lfor one end of the shell having a coiled spring yieldablyv engaging the adjacent terminalV of the, battei' a detachable metallic combined lamp soc et, reflector and lens support held tothe other end of the shell, a removable insulat ing block interposed between, the lamp and the adjacent battery terminal and carrying normally spaced contacts engaging the lamp and battery terminals, and a controller eX- tending, through the casing and insulated from thecontacts on said blocks adapted to move one of said contacts into engagement with the other. y i

In the drawings, Figure 1 is a longitudinal sectional view of the device; l

Fig. 2 a side elevation thereof' showing the parts disconnected from each other;

Fig. 3 a transverse section on the line III--III of Fig. l;

Fig. 4 a fragmentary longitudinal section showing the finger piece locked in its laterally shifted circuit-closing position; and Fig. 5 an enlarged sectional view of the push button.

Referring to the various parts by numerals, l designates the tubular metallic shell or casing in which the usual dry battery 2 is removably held. The casing l is pressed outwardly adjacent each end to formexternal circumferentially extending shoulders 3 and 4, land the end portions of the .casing are preferably tapered from the shoulders 3 'and 4 toward the ends of the casing as shown. The battery 2 has the usual terminals 5 and 6 at opposite ends thereof and the end of the casing` 1 adjacent terminal 6 is closed by a removable metal closure cap 7. The casing and cap are preferably formed of thin-gage sheet metal so as to be slightly resilient and insure a tight frictional slip connection between the cap and casing. The capl is preferably formed with knurled portions 8 and 9" to facilitate removal of the cap, and a compressible coiled spring 1.0 is vheld to the interior of the cap and is adapted to yieldably engage the battery terminal 6 to electrically connect the cap with said terminal.A

. vThe casing l is pressed linwardly to form an internal circumferential shoulder 1,1 intermediate the shoulder 3 and the adjacent end of the battery 2, and is formed with a key lso slot 12 therein extending longitudinally of the casing between said shoulders 3 and 11. Diametrically opposite the key slot 12 the casing is pressed inwardly to form an internal rib or projection 13. A removable disk or block 14 of suitable insulating material is seated in the casing against the shoulder 11, said block having a notch 15 in one edge to receive rib 13 to hold'the block against rotation. The disk or block 414 is slotted or cutI away at 16 directly opposite the notch 15, the open end of the slot 1G registering with the key slot 12 in the easing. A metallic sleeve 17 extends through the center of the block 14 and a metallic contact pin 18 is tapped transversely through the block from the inner end of slot 16, the outer end of said pin projecting into slot 16 and the inner end thereof engaging in 011e wall of -the sleeve 17 A contact 19 in the form of a U-shaped metal strip is held to the inner side of the block 14 by a suitable screw-20 extending through one end thereof. The battery terminal 5 is held'in firm engagement with the contact 19 by the spring 10 in closure cap 7. A yieldable contact or spring-pressed metal plunger 21 is slidably held in the sleeve 17, said plunger being normally forced outwardly by a coiled spring 22 and having a stop pin 23 tapped through its inner end. A resilient bridging member 24 is adapted to electrically connect the contacts 19 and 21 through the pin 18 and sleeve 17. The bric ging member is preferably formed integrally with the contact 19 for convenience in manufacture and assembly, the free end of the metal strip of which Contact 19 is formed being passed through slot 16 to the opposite side of block 14 and doubled upon itself to form a yieldable or compressible member normally out of engagement with the end of pin 18 but adapted to be pressed inwardly firmly against the outer end of the pin.

A combined reflector. lens support and lamp socket is detachably held to the end of the casing opposite the closure cap 7, the reflector portion 25 thereof being formed with an integral annular flange 26 frictionally embracing the adjacent tapered end portion of the casing 1. A threaded lamp socket 27 is formed integrally with the reflector 25, and an incandescent electric lamp 28 having the usual threaded metallic terminal sleeve 29 is supported in said socket. with its other terminal 3() in engagement with the yieldable contact plunger21. The outer edge of the reflector is rolled backwardly to form an integral external annular flange 31 formed at opposite sides with inclined bayonet slots 32 in which are adapted to engage a pair of nipples or projections 33 formed on the interior of a lens-clamping ring 34 adapted to detachably hold a lens 35 against the outer edge or rim of the refiector. The flange 26 is preferably formed with a knurled shoulder 3G and thc ring 34 is also provided with a knured shoulder 37.

It will be observed tiat the lamp terminal 27 is connectedv at all times with the battery terminal 6 through the reflector, fiange 2G, casing 1, cap 7 and spring 10, while lamp terminal is normally disconnected from battery terminal rllhe terminals 5 and 30 are completely inclosed within the casing so that it is impossible to complete the circuit through accidental bridging of these terminals by metal tools or other objects. The circuit is adapted to be manually closed by operating a push button or finger piece 38 extending through the key slot 12 in casing 1. The push button has a portion 39 normally extending through the large part of the key slot and a reduced shank portion 40 normally located exterior-ly of the casing 1. The portion 39 is formed with acircumferential flange 41 at its inner end adapted to engage the inner side of the casing to limit the outward movement of the button, and the outer edge of the portion 39 adjacent the reduced shank 40 is preferably rounded. The button is normally forced outwardly by a flat spring 4L held to the,

inner side of the casing by suitable rivets 43. The spring 42 is formed with a short longitudinal slot 44 through which a stud, pin or projection 45 of insulating material extends, said stud being held to the inner end of the button 38 and loosely engaging the bridging member or plate 24. The slot 44 is preferably of suoli length that when the portion 39 of the button is engaged in the large portion of the key slot the pin 45 will engage the outer end of the slot, thus preventing movement of the button toward the shoulder 3 when the button is depressed.

1t will be obvious that by pressing the button inwardly the bridging member 24 will be moved to circuit-closing position, and that when the pressure on the button is relieved the spring 42 will force the button outwardly, whereupon the resilient bridging member 24 will move out of engagement with pin 18 and lthe circuit will be broken, If it be desired to have the lamp burn continuously, the bridging member 24 may be locked in circuit-closing position by pressing the button inwardly and then shifting the button laterally to engage the reduced shank portion 40 in the narrow portion of the key slot. This lateral movement of the button will cause the abutment formed by the outer end of portion 39 of the button to engage under the abutments formed by the wall of the casing at the sides of theiulrrow portion of the key slot, thus holding the button depressed and maintainingv the circuit closed after pressure of the thumb or finger on the button is relieved.

By providing a removable circuit controller within the casing it will be seen that in the event of a battery sticking in the casing the lamp may be readily dismantled to permit access to the batteryto drive the same out of the casing. It will be observed also that the lens, reflector and lamp may be readily removed as a unit.

What I claim is:

l. A device of the class s et forth comprising a casing open at both ends, a battery removably held in the casing, a closure cap for one end of the casmg having a frictional slip connection therewith,.and a combined lamp socket, lens support and reflector provided with an annular flange having a frictional slip connection with the opposite end of the casing and removablek asa unit therefrom.

2. A device of the class set forth comprising a tubular metallic casing having tapered v end portions, a battery removably held in the casing, a closure cap frictionally embracing one tapered end portion of the casing, a combined reflector and lens support formed of sheet metal and provided with an annular flange frictionally embracing the opposite tapered end portion of the casing, and a lamp and lens carried by the reflector and lens support. j

3. A device of the`classfset forth comprising a metallic casing open at both ends, a battery removabl [held in the casing, a de.-

Y tachable closure or one end of the casing, a

metallic reflector having a lens-supporting end and an vannular flange frictionally embracing-"the other end of the casing and a threaded tubular lamp socket portion concentric with said flange, a lamp in said socket, a lens, and a lens-holding ring detachably held to the outer end of the reflector and `clamping the lens against thet lens-supporting end of the` reflector.

4. A device of the class described comprising a metallic shell open at both ends, a bat- -tery therein having terminals at opposite ends thereof, a metallic closure having a slip connection with one end of the casing, yieldable means carried by said closure electri-` surrounding the lamp socket portion thereof and frictionally engaging the other end 'of the shell to detachably hold the same to the shell, a lamp in the socket, and circuit-closing means adapted to electrically connect one terminal of the lamp with the adjacent battery terminal, the other lamp terminal being connected With the metallic shell through the combined reflector and lamp socket and the tubular extension thereof.

A device of the class described comprising a metallic shell open at both ends, abattery therein having terminals at opposite ends thereof, a metallic closure having a slip connection with one end of the casing, yieldtherein, a battery in t `engaging adjacent battery and lamp terminals, and means operable `from the exterior of the shell for electrically connecting said contacts, the other lamp terminal being elec-- trically connected with the shell through the reflector and its tubular extension.

6. A device of the class described comprising a metallic shell open at both ends, a battery therein having terminals at opposite ends thereof, a metallic closure having avslip connection with one end of the casing, yieldable means carried by said closure electrically connecting the closure with the adjacent terminal of the battery, a metallic combined reflector and lamp socket having a tubular extension frictionally engaging the lblock engaging adjacent battery and lamp terminals, a resilient bridging member carried by 'one of said contacts and normally 100 spaced from the other contact and adapted to be shifted into engagement therewith, and a finger piece extending through the shell and operable to force said bridgingmember' into`circuit-closing position; v 105 7. Ak device 'of the class described `com prising a metallic casing having a key slot e casing having a terminal at its outer end electrically connected with the casing and having a terminal at its inner end, a lamp having one ter-/ minal spaced from the inner battery terminal and a terminal electrically -connected with the casing, a block of insulating material interposed between the spaced battery and lamp terminals, a yieldable contact carried by said block engaging the adjacent lamp terminal, a contact carried by said block engaging the adjacent battery terminal, a yieldable bridging member carried by the latter contact adapted to electrically connect the contacts, and a push button normally .working in the larger portion of the key slot and having a reduced portion normally outside 'of the casing, said button loosely engaging the bridging member and being laterally shiftable when depressed to engage the reduced portion thereof in the narrow portion of the key slot andlockthe member in circuit-closing position.

` lamp terminal, a contact carried by said block engaging the adjacent battery terminal. a yieldable bridging member carried by the latter contact adapted `to electrically connect the contacts, a push button nor- `mally Working in the larger portion of the key slot and having a reduced portion normally outside of the casing, said button loosely engaging the bridging member and being laterally shiftable when depressed to engage the reduced portion thereof in the narrow portion of the key slot and lock the member in circuitclosing position, and means for insulating the inner end of the button from the bridging member.

9. A device of the class described comprising a metallic casing having a key slot therein and an internal rib opposite said slot, a battery in the casing having a terminal at its outer end connected with the casing and having a terminal at its inner end, a lamp having a terminal connected with the casing and aV terminal spaced from the inner battery terminal, a removable block of insulating material interposed between the spaced battery and lamp terminals and having a notch in one edge in Whichthe rib on the casing engages and a cut-away portion opposite said notch,a yieldable contact carried by said block engaging the adjacent lamp terminal, a contact helt to the oppo- `site side of said block engaging the adjacent battery terminal, a yieldable bridging member carried by the latter Contact and extending through the'cut-away portion of the block adapted to connect the contacts, and a push button normally working in the larger portion of the key slot and having a reduced portion normally outside the casing, said button loosely engaging the brid ing member and being laterally shiftab e when depressed to engage the reduced portion thereof in the narrow portion of the key slot.

10. A device of the class described comprising a metallic casing having a key slot therein and an internal rib opposite said slot, a battery in the casing having a terminal at its outer end connected with the casing and having a terminal at its inner end, a lamp having -a terminal connected with the casing and a terminal spaced from the inner battery terminal, a removable block of insulating material interposed between the `spaced battery and lamp terminals and having a notch in one edge in which the rib on the casing engages and a cut-away portion opposite said notch, a yieldable contact carried by said block engaging the adjacent lamp terminal, a contact held to the oppo site side of said block engaging the adjacent battery terminal, a yieldable bridging member carried by the latter contact and extending through the cut-away portion of the block adapted to connect the contacts, a pusn button normally working in the larger portion of the key slot and having a reduced portion normally outside the casing, and a stud ot' insulating material on the inner end of the button loosely engaging the bridging member, said button being laterally shit'table when depressed to engage the reduced portion thereof'in the narrow portion of the key slot.

1l. A' device of the class described comprising a metallic casing having a key slot therein and an internal rib opposite said slot, a battery in the casing having a terminal at its outer end connected with the casin(r and having a terminal at its inner end, a llamp having a terminal connected with the casing and a terminal spaced from the inner battery terminal, a removable block of insulating material interposed between the spaced battery and lamp terminals and having a notch in one edge in which the rib on the casing engages and a cut-away.

portion opposite said notch, a yieldable contact carried by said block engaging the adjacent -hrmp terminal, a contact held to the opposite side of said block engagi f the adjacent battery terminal, a yieldable bridging member carried by the latter contact and extending through the cut-away portion ot the block adapted to connect the contacts, a vpush button normally working in thelarger portion of the key slot and hav ing a reduced portion normally outside the casing, a. flat spring held to the inner side of the casing having a slot therein, and a stud of insulating material on the inner end of the button extending through said slot and loosely engaging the bridging member, said button being laterally shiftable when depressed to engage the reduced portion'thereof in the narrow portion of the key slot.

12. In a portable electric lighting device, the combination ofta metallic casing, a battery loosely held in the casin having terminals at opposite ends thereo means carried by the casing at one end thereof frictionall engaging one battery terminal to electrically connect said terminal with the casing, a metallic lamp support detaehably held vto the other end of the casing, a lamp carried by said sup ort having one terminal spaced from the ac jacent battery terminal and one button extending through the casing formed with an abutment adapted to engage the inner side of the casing to limit the outward movement of the button, a pin of insulating material held to the inner end of the button, a spring held to the inner wall of the casing for normally forcing'the button outwardly, said spring having an aperture through which said pin extends, a block of insulating material iemovably supported in the casing between the lamp and battery, contacts carried by said block engaging the adjacent battery and lamp terminals, and a yieldable circuit-closing member carried by said block and loosely engaged by said pin for electrically connecting the contacts when the buttonI is forced inwardly.

13. In a portable electric lighting device, the combination of a metallic casing, a battery loosely held in the casing having terminals at opposite ends thereof, means carried by the casing at one end thereof frictionally engaging one battery terminal to electrically connect said terminal with the casing, a metallic lamp support detachably held to the other end of the casing, a lamp carried by said support having one terminal spaced from the adjacent battery terminal and one terminal in circuit with said support, a push button extending through the casing formed with an abutment adapted to engage the inner side of the casing to limit the outward movement of the button, a pin of insulating material held to the inner end of the button, a spring held to the inner wall ofthe casing for normally forcing the button outwardly, said spring having an aperture through which said pin extends, a'block of insulating material removablysupported in the casing between the lamp and battery, con.

tacts carried by said block engaging the adjacent battery and lamp terminals, a yieldable circuit-closing member carried by said block and loosely engaged b'y said pin for electricallyconnecting the contacts when the button is forced inwardly, and coperating means on the casing and' block for alining the circuit-closing member with said pin.

'14. In a portable electric lighting device, the combination of a metallic casing, a battery loosely. held in the casing having terminals at opposite ends thereof, meanscarried by the casing at one end thereof frictionally engaging one battery terminal to electrically connect said terminal with the casing, a metallic lamp support detachably held to the other end of the casing, a lamp carried by said support having one terminal spaced from the adjacent battery terminal and one terminal in circuit with said support, a push button extending through the casing formed with an abutment adapted to engage the in ner side of the casing to limit the outward movement of the button, a pin of insulating material held to the inner end of the button,`

a 'spring held to the inner wall of the easing for normally forcing the button outwardly, said spring having an aperture through which said pin extends, a block of insulating material removably supported in the casing between the lamp and battery, contacts carried by said block engaging the adjacent batteryjand lamp terminals, and a yieldable circuit-closing member carried by said block and loosely engaged by said pin for electrically connecting the contacts when the button is forced inwardly, the casing being formed with an internal projection a'nd the block with a recess in which said projection engages for maintaining the circuit-closing member in `register with the push button.

l5. lA device of the class described comprising a metallic casing having a key slot therein, a lamp having 'one terminal connected with the casing, a battery in the casing having one terminal connected with the casing, circuit-closing means held against rotation in the casing including a flexible metallic bridging member adapted to loe pressed inwardly to complete the lamp circuit, and a push button for pressing said member inwardly normally extending through the larger portion of the key slot in the casing and having a reduced shank portion nor- -mally outside the casing, ,said button lslidl ably engaging the outer side of said member and being shiftable laterally relatively to the member while in contact therewith when depressed..to permit the reduced shank of the button to be passed sidewise into the narrow portion ofthe key-slot.

16. A flash-light comprising a tubular battery-inclosing casing, a combined reector and lamp socket having its outer ledge of greater diameter than the casing and bent back upon the convex side of the reflector to form an annular flange spaced from the outer side of the reflector, and a lens-holding ring concentric with said flange having an inwardly extending llange over; hanging the outer endy of the reflector to clamp a lens against the outer end of the reflector, said ring and the reflector flange being provided with means forming a bayonet joint connection therebetween, and said reflector being provided with a tubular extension at'the `convex side'thereof of less diameter than the' outer end of the reflector cHRLEs .wAciirEn 

